Twenty miles through the swamp took all day, with knee to thigh-deep water slowing every step. Unseen holes beneath the surface threatened to slow progress, or worse, bring you to an ankle breaking stop.
Every step demands attention, pushing through knee-deep water while searching for solid footing. That alone will wear you out, but the swamp presents another unique set of obstacles; sand-filled socks and shoes, mosquito swarms at sunset, and the need to find dry ground for your tent before you are stuck wandering in the dark, cold water.
I camped with people who had taken two days to cover the same mileage, and some will spend four days crossing the same swamp. I count myself fortunate to have completed it in two, just before an impending thunderstorm.
Torrential rain and lightning forced me to shelter under a tarp tied to a van, sharing hot dogs, Gatorade, and a movie on a laptop with fellow hikers, courtesy of @freshgroundleapfrogcafe
The temptation to camp at the edge of the parking lot for a pancake breakfast the next morning lured most, but with so many new faces and names, it felt overwhelming for someone used to hiking alone. Despite the welcoming company of fellow hikers, I pressed on for an additional five miles as the rain abated, narrowly reaching my tent before the mosquitoes descended.
#floridatrail #ftthruhike